BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Five
years to go, a joyful Beijing already has the 2008 Olympic Games in sight.

ĦĦĦĦThe long-awaited emblem for the 2008 Olympic were unveiled on Sunday at a
spectacular gala held at the Temple of Heaven -- one of the ultimate symbols of
traditional Chinese culture.

ĦĦĦĦThe emblem, entitled "Chinese Seal -- Dancing Beijing", features a single
Chinese character on a traditional red Chinese seal with the words "Beijing
2008" written in an eastern-style brush stroke.

ĦĦĦĦThe stick-figure that comprises the logo looks like a lively runner or
dancer and also mimics the Chinese character "wen" meaning humanity (renwen) or
culture (wenhua). Some experts said it also resembles the character "jing"
meaning the Chinese capital,or Beijing.

ĦĦĦĦThe emblem also represents the ancient Chinese art of seal-cutting which
dates back 3,700 years to the Yin Dynasty. Seals were used as a personal
"signature" as well as for official documents.

ĦĦĦĦAn audience of 2008 celebrities, International Olympic Committee (IOC)
officials and diplomats were present at the ceremony Sunday night and witnessed
the unveiling of the logo before IOC president Jacques Rogge delivered a video
address.

ĦĦĦĦ"Your new emblem immediately conveys the awesome beauty and power of China
which are embodied in your heritage and your people," said Rogge.

ĦĦĦĦ"In this emblem, I saw the promise and potential of a New Beijing and a
Great Olympic," added the IOC chief.

ĦĦĦĦThe logo was originally scheduled for launch on May 25 this year, but was
delayed due to the outbreak of the SARS virus in China. It had been approved by
the IOC on March 28 when Rogge described it as "Young dynamic - bringing
together the historical and cultural heritage, as well as the future of China."

ĦĦĦĦThe design was chosen from 1,985 entries that were received after a logo
design contest was launched last July in Beijing at the Olympic Design
Conference. The winning entry was chosen by a jury comprising of Chinese and
international design experts.

ĦĦĦĦBrad Copeland, one of the four international judges to select the logo for
the 2008 Games, expressed his satisfaction with the design.

ĦĦĦĦ"I will use the word 'simple'-- in that it works well in all the different
ways it needs to work -- small occasion, big occasion, internationally,
nationally," said Copeland, also the IOC Look of the Games advisor.

ĦĦĦĦ"In a word, it conveys simple but important concepts. It will take its
place in Olympic logos, a prominent place," he added.

ĦĦĦĦHollywood star Jackie Chan, who along with table tennis legend Deng Yaping
carried the box holding the logo into the park, said the emblem represents the
Chinese culture.

ĦĦĦĦ"My first impression is that it conveys peace, friendship and eternity."

ĦĦĦĦApparently, the emblem has also won favor with ordinary people.

ĦĦĦĦ"The logo is quite simple but it embodies many messages. It's visually
strong," said Pan Yue, a 18-year-old high school girl.

ĦĦĦĦThe IOC began worldwide legal processes to protect the logo immediately
after giving approval to it. Its registration has beenconfirmed in trademark
databases in the United States and Europe.

ĦĦĦĦIOC marketing director Michael Payne said the unveiling of the logo paved
the way for the launch of the marketing program for the2008 Olympics.

ĦĦĦĦ"The official emblem is key to success of the marketing program,"Payne told
reporter on the eve of the unveiling of the logo.

ĦĦĦĦThe Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Games (BOCOG) will launch the
marketing program on September 1. Enditem